Articles tagged with "photovoltaic-cells"
"Solar Glitter" Makes Its Mark On The Space Solar Race
The article discusses recent advancements and growing momentum in space-based solar power technologies, highlighting the innovative "solar glitter" concept developed by the US startup mPower. Originating from research at Sandia National Laboratory in 2009, this technology involves crystalline silicon solar particles designed to be lighter and more efficient than traditional solar panels. mPower, which commercialized this technology under the name DragonSCALES, recently secured over $24 million in Series B funding, including a strategic investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures. This funding aims to scale up production to meet rising demand, with notable aerospace companies such as Airbus, Blue Origin/Honeybee, Firefly Aerospace, Lynk Global, and Gravitics expressing interest or already deploying DragonSCALES. The article also notes broader activity in the space solar sector, with other startups like Solestial and Ascent Solar Technologies making strides. Solestial entered a partnership with NASA’s Glenn Research Center to develop resilient solar arrays, while Ascent has provided sample modules to
energysolar-powerspace-solar-technologyphotovoltaic-cellsmPowerDragonSCALESLockheed-Martin-VenturesThis dragon-fly like motorcycle charges itself and needs no plug at all
The SOLARIS motorcycle, designed by MASK Architects, represents a groundbreaking concept in electric mobility by eliminating the need for external charging infrastructure. Unlike traditional electric motorcycles that depend on plugs and charging stations, SOLARIS is a self-charging vehicle powered by integrated photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electrical energy. Its innovative deployable mechanism increases the solar collection surface by up to 150% when stationary, enabling continuous energy capture and minimizing downtime typically required for recharging. This biomimetic design, inspired by the structure of a dragonfly’s wing, not only enhances solar efficiency but also links the vehicle aesthetically to natural forms. SOLARIS is particularly suited for regions lacking established fuel or electrical infrastructure, offering a practical mobility solution in remote or infrastructure-poor areas. Additionally, the self-sustaining power system reduces operational energy costs and mechanical complexity, potentially lowering maintenance needs and total ownership costs for commercial and fleet operators.
energyelectric-vehiclessolar-powerphotovoltaic-cellssustainable-mobilityself-charging-motorcyclerenewable-energyChina develops transparent coating to turn windows into solar panels
Researchers at Nanjing University in China have developed a transparent, colorless solar concentrator coating that can be applied directly to standard window glass, enabling windows to generate solar power without altering their appearance. This innovation uses multilayer cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) films to selectively diffract circularly polarized sunlight, guiding it toward photovoltaic (PV) cells installed at the window edges. Unlike conventional solar concentrators, this system maintains high visual clarity with an average visible transmittance of 64.2% and a color rendering index of 91.3%, allowing up to 38.1% of incident sunlight to be harvested while keeping the glass visually indistinguishable from ordinary windows. The technology offers significant scalability and efficiency advantages. Simulations indicate that a two-meter-wide coated window can concentrate sunlight up to 50 times its normal intensity, potentially reducing the required PV cell area by 75%, lowering material costs, and enabling new energy-efficient building designs. A prototype demonstrated the ability to power
energysolar-powertransparent-coatingphotovoltaic-cellsliquid-crystal-filmsenergy-harvestinggreen-buildingsSolar Panels Give Edge to Tomatoes Grown Underneath - CleanTechnica
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted experiments to determine if tomatoes grown under specially designed light filters would perform better than those grown under full sunlight. These filters, based on organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, selectively transmit only the light spectrum most beneficial to the plants while potentially converting unused light into electricity. In a controlled study, tomato plants grown under these purplish BioMatched panels grew faster and larger than those exposed to the full solar spectrum, demonstrating that tailoring light exposure to a plant’s physiological needs can enhance growth. This project, part of the multi-disciplinary “No Photon Left Behind” initiative, builds on earlier successful experiments with algae, where BioMatched filters also increased growth rates despite reducing overall light exposure. The algae research showed higher efficiency in converting photons to biomass, encouraging researchers to test similar approaches with crops. While the current OPV filters used in the experiments do not generate electricity, the ultimate aim is to integrate BioMatched materials into
energysolar-panelsphotovoltaic-cellsorganic-semiconductorsplant-growthbioenergyrenewable-energyDARPA beams 800 watts laser power over record breaking 5.3 miles
energywireless-power-transmissionlaser-technologyDARPAmilitary-applicationsphotovoltaic-cellsoptical-power-beamingScientists simulate how tens of thousands of electrons move in real time
materialsenergyquantum-mechanicselectron-dynamicsphotovoltaic-cellssimulationnanostructures